20 Facts About Nicky Gumbel

Nicholas Glyn Paul Gumbel was born on 28 April 1955 and is an English Anglican priest and author in the evangelical and charismatic traditions.

Nicky Gumbel is known as the developer of the Alpha Course, a basic introduction to Christianity supported by churches of many Christian traditions.

Nicky Gumbel was Vicar of Holy Trinity Brompton in the Diocese of London, Church of England from 2005 to 2022.

Nicky Gumbel was born on 28 April 1955 in London, England.

Nicky Gumbel is the son of Walter Gumbel, a German secular Jew from Stuttgart whose licence to practise law in that city was withdrawn in one of the early Nazi purges.

Walter Nicky Gumbel emigrated to Britain and became a successful barrister.

Nicky Gumbel was educated at Hill House School, an independent day preparatory school in Knightsbridge in London, followed by Eton College, an independent boys' boarding school near Windsor, in Berkshire.

Nicky Gumbel studied law at Trinity College, Cambridge, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1976; as per tradition, his BA degree was later promoted to a Master of Arts degree.

Nicky Gumbel converted to Christianity while attending university in 1974.

Nicky Gumbel attended the Iwerne holiday camps founded by EJ "Bash" Nash; these were evangelical Christian holiday camps aimed at children from English public schools, aimed at preparing boys for future ministry at the highest level in the church.

In January 1978, Nicky Gumbel married at the church Pippa, with whom he would go on to have three children.

In 1982, Nicky Gumbel announced his decision to leave the bar to train for ordination in the Church of England.

Nicky Gumbel graduated with a BA degree in 1986; as per tradition, his BA degree was later promoted to an MA degree.

Nicky Gumbel was ordained in the Church of England as a deacon in 1986.

In 2005, Nicky Gumbel was officially installed as Vicar of Holy Trinity Brompton Church.

In 2007, Nicky Gumbel was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Gloucestershire as recognition of his broad contribution to the wider church through Alpha.

Nicky Gumbel was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the 2024 New Year Honours for services to the Church of England.

In 1990, Nicky Gumbel took over the running of the Alpha Course that had been running there since 1977.

Nicky Gumbel serves as the public face of the course, being described by James Heard as something of a "Weberian charismatic leader".

Nicky Gumbel is the author of a number of books related to the Alpha Course, including Questions of Life which has sold over 1,000,000 copies.